Daffodils and Ice Cream Cones

Every spring break I take the kids to the Tulip Festival nearby. The tulips aren't quite blooming yet, but we drove by a few daffodil fields. Jayden and I want to go back for a picnic when the tulips are ready (the boys couldn't care less!). We then stopped by the Snow Goose stand for a huge ice cream cone. Jake got his favorite chocolate chip mint, Jayden got bubble gum (she wanted chocolate but I guided her towards picking a flavor that wouldn't stain as badly), and I got peach. Jake's big scoop of ice cream fell on the ground almost immediately- but luckily the 30 second rule was applied, and he ate it anyway (gross). Jayden couldn't even finish half of hers, so when we picked Jonathan up from his friend's party, we made him eat the rest. For some reason, he was a good sport about it!

Jake and Tyson- Halo Marathon

Jake had his friend Tyson over during the break. It was a gorgeous day outside and yet all they wanted to do was play Halo together. They did finally end up going outside for a bit after awhile. Jake loves having friends over/ being invited to his friend's houses... and is dying to have a sleep-over, though I don't think he's quite ready yet. He's sure growing up these days!

Jayden and the Easter Bunny

We went by the mall for a quick visit to see the Easter Bunny. Jayden was very excited to go, but then got a bit hesitant when we got there and actually saw the bunny. I was able to convince her that all was well and that she'd be fine sitting on the bunny's lap. It's nice that she's 4 now and I can reason with her somewhat. They let me take some pix with my own camera (as long as I bought a shot from them, too). As we walked away, she was wondering where the paper bunny ears were- the kind they usually pass out when you visit. I guess even the Easter Bunny's trying to pinch pennies this year!

Misc. Easter Pix

The weather was gorgeous! Jonathan went to spend the night at Luke's house, but the little ones and I ate dinner out on the deck for the first time this year! Check out the sunset- Gorgeous! And I hear it's supposed to rain on the "real" Easter, so maybe it's not such a bad thing that we had to celebrate early!

The Hunt...

After posing for some pix, Jayden got changed into cozier clothing and the egg hunt began! They all ran wildly in every direction. Jake was determined to find a silver egg first (3 were hidden- one for each)! Sure enough, he did! Jonathan (as usual) was the last to find his silver egg- and we practically had to tell him where it was. I'm telling you, as my dad would say if he were here today, "that kid couldn't find an elephant in a telephone booth!" It is SO true! When we came back inside, the kids opened eggs and ate candy and "cashed in" their silver eggs for a treat (a candy bottle pop). Fun! So nice of that Easter Bunny to come a week early!

Easter Outfits

OK, so the boys just wore a navy blue t-shirt because there's not a chance in heck they'd let me put them in a suit or anything even remotely fancy like that... but "ak least" (as Jake would say) they match Jayden's dress, right?!! I liked Jayden's dress more on the hanger than on her, but of course she always looks beautiful to me!!! I got it at Kohl's last spring after Easter on super clearance, and now I'm not so wild about the bows. Oh well... They were good sports and posed for some pix. Here are some of my favorites.

Easter Morning

"Easter" Morning... We got up early to be sure we had time for lots of fun! Jake had a birthday party to go to at noon, so we were in a time crunch. The kids looked in their baskets- lots of candy and a few bigger treats for each. Jonathan got an egg with a $10 bill in it- as well as a gel target for his new air soft gun (to avoid more dry-wall damage!), and a promise for an Applebees dinner. Jake got a book he'd been wanting- Diary of a Wimpy Kid, as well as 2 Webkinz (rooster and a cow), a Nerf gun, the Marley and Me DVD, and Star Wars Legos, and Jayden really scored and got a Smart Cycle bike (her X-Box 360!) They have one at Toys R Us that she loves to play on while I shop. We've been twice and both times she didn't want to leave, so when I saw it at Walmart on clearance for $50 (it was $100 at Toys R Us) I got it for her (actually it was the Easter Bunny...) She absolutely LOVES it and rides it non stop. Now she and Jonathan have to fight for the big TV! She also got 2 Webkinz (a cat "Toodle" and a poodle), some PlayDough, and the Bolt DVD. We had eggs, bacon, and pancakes for breakfast. The bottom 2 pix are of the kids registering their Webkinz- with the help of Jonathan.